February Favourites!

February is insanely short. That is a confirmed fact. I mean, I know it’s only one or two days, but…EVERY MONTH FEELS TOO SHORT, DAMMIT. *sniffs* It’s also been a pretty quiet month, to be honest, with the exception of all the book releases over the past week. I did have a rather exciting weekend, though, so continue further on for the hot gossip. 😛

1. Radio Silence by Alice Oseman This book was probably my most anticipated 2016 release. (I don’t know how that happened? But yeah, it totally did.) It wasn’t a let-down at all! I LOVED IT. It had an amazing fictional podcast and beautiful characters and I really appreciated the message about uni and academia. As someone who generally finds exams quite easy — I mean, obviously I’m grateful for that but I hate that it can be my defining skill. Also: diversity! It has PoC and queer characters, no main romance, ACTUAL BOY-GIRL PLATONIC FRIENDSHIP JEEZ. It’s the only book I’ve ever read with characters (canonically) on the asexuality spectrum.

2. Carry On special editions Um, so…I bought my 4th and 5th copies of Carry On. Whoops. I got the UK paperback and the special colour in edition, which I’m very excited to try out! I don’t know what colour scheme I’m going to use yet, though. DECISIONS DECISIONS.

3. The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson I’m a little torn about this one…I DID ENJOY IT. I mean, it was a self-discovery coming out kind of story. It used a lot of tropes I’d seen before. But I think these books do have worth, and it was a good contemporary self-discovery story. WITH BRITAIN YAY. 🙂

4. Fun Home the musical I haven’t been able to get hold of Alison Bechdel’s graphic novel Fun Home yet — the book this was based on — but I’ve been loving the musical. I love how the story of the three different Alisons (younger, going to college, and reflecting on her past) unfolds at the same time. And it’s the only movie I know of with a queer protagonist, so yay for that!

5. A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab This was another incredibly anticipated release. I thought the White London arc fell a bit flat (it felt like a set-up for the future, to be honest) but I STILL LOVED IT. It was amazing to see these characters and their luscious world grow. I actually love Kell and Rhy and Lila with all of my heart. I CAN’T EVEN OMG. Schwab’s writing was also beautiful, as per usual. In particular I thought the distinction between the different languages and names was fascinating (and very well done).

Stuff from around the internet:

I know this is slightly out of nowhere. (I’ve been hiding it up my sleeve for way too long.) But I opened a Redbubble shop! Right now I’m selling some Carry On + Les Mis designs, although I hope to have a few more original ones up as well over the next week or so. 🙂

I made a Carry On blog on Tumblr (welllbelove). I’m still posting my podfic, and I also made a Baz playlist for the Snowbaz Valentine’s gift exchange! Overall, a lot of Carry On stuff. If you couldn’t tell.

Jupe @ smolprince wrote about stereotypes of women, femininity, and internalised sexism.

In the diary:

I’ve only got £200 left to fundraise for my Guides trip! I managed to finally get my act together and apply for some grants, which was great. 🙂 (If you’ve missed my mini-updates every month: I’m going on an international trip with Girlguides, and we’re fundraising the entire cost of the trip.)

I ACTUALLY PLANNED MY WIP YAY. I had a super long train journey, and…somehow I finished my main outline! It’s crazy, because I’ve always been a complete pantser, but I’m very excited to talk about it some more. 😀

I also listened to several musicals on the aforementioned long train journey, including The Phantom of the Opera for the first time! That was fun. *nods*

I’m trying to be a bit more politically aware, so I went to a talk by my local MP, who actually said a lot of things I agreed with. Helpfully. (I mean, I guess in particular Britain staying in the EU. Which is kind of the Thing of the moment haha.)

I feel like I have SOO many exciting posts to get write over the next few weeks. I’m very excited to share them! Although, um, I kinda need to write them first.

how was your month? did you do anything fun with our extra leap year day? (I KNOW IT WAS A MONDAY. but still.)

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15 thoughts on “February Favourites!”

AHHHH HOLY COW GOOD LUCK WITH GUIDES. When I was in a Scout troop we had someday planned to go on trips…but then we kind of broke up the troop, so. GOOD LUCK & HAVE FUN!
There is so much going on in American politics right now that I’m actually also trying to be more into politics…but primaries and the electoral college make zero sense. Also I’m immensely confused on Trump. -_- why.
Radio Silence sounds so good! I’m kind of with you on The Art of Being Normal. I kinda felt that yes, it was an important book, it just didn’t feel very well-written to me.

AAH THANK YOU SO MUCH! Oh no, that sucks. 😦 We always see local Scouts up at the Scots centre haha.
To be honest: I literally don’t understand what’s happening, even though the election’s in our news the entire time. S O ManY PARTS AND DIFFERENT THINGS WHAT. Also, I thought the election was really soon because there’s so much publicity but apparently it’s all the way in November haha. Donald Trump is someone who I am quite confident to say I hate without feeling guilty.
Yess it’s absolutely fabulous! *flails* I’m totally going to be recommending it to absolutely everyone in the entire world.

And I am so very delighted to hear that the WIP is coming along nicely! Aren't train journeys so beautiful for plotting? I find that they are my favourite times to write – no wifi, no distractions, only the words. (True story: on the plane ride home from London I write six poems, which may not seem like a lot, but it is perhaps the most prolific I have been in such a short timespan. I am rather proud of that.)

Most of my writing ideas happens on journeys!. For some reason I just find it very easy to think on transport. (And the train is my favourite.) (NO. That is absolutely crazy and also wonderful. I applaud you!)

*waves* HIII. (A little too enthusiastic? But it’s been a while.) I’m so happy your WIP is coming along great – what is it with train journeys and great ideas? JK Rowling got the general plot for Harry Potter on a train journey while she watched cows graze. So hey, y’know, you might just be on the way to another HP-like success? xD I
Oh my, even more Rainbow Rowell books? THIS IS ALARMING OKAY. Your Rebubble shop is lovely, by the way. ❤

*waves* HI. Nooo don’t worry — I am a very enthusiastic person with crazy long commenting skills, so I’d be a hypocrite if I said I minded.
Thank you! MAYBE THE HARRY POTTER GHOST VISITED ME. Maybe I’ll suddenly become an amazing writer. I really hope so. XD
It is quite alarming. But I maintain to my mother that Other People On The Internet have more and therefore I must keep buying. And aah thanks again! ❤

I can’t wait to hear more about your WIP! Which musicals did you listen to? 🙂 I’m afraid I haven’t been in touch with what’s happening in the political world of the UK, but I’ve heard of this decision to leave the EU. You just inspired me to go and learn more about it. 🙂
I was just approved for Radio Silence on Netgalley, so I’m looking forward to reading that this month 😀

Yay, thanks! I’m hoping to share some actual news about it soon. But I keep being incredibly lazy, so. 😛
Apart from Fun Home I listened to Phantom of the Opera and Wicked. 🙂 (I tried a bit of The Book of Mormon. But it isn’t sung all the way through so I had about zero idea what was happening haha.)
Haha no worries! I basically only have a vague idea of what’s happening in my own country, so. We’re not leaving the EU just yet, but we have a referendum in June to decide!
YAY that’s awesome! I really look forward to hearing what you thought of it. 🙂

That’s so exciting that you planned your WIP! 😀 I want to collect all the Carry On editions too (and Fangirl and Eleanor and Park) but they’re really hard to find here ONE DAY THOUGH. And I need to jump onto the Shades of Magic bandwagon. There are so many books that I still need to read that it’s making me crazy haha. Also I love your Redbubble shop; I want those Writing Warrior and I’d Rather Be at Watford notebooks!! Again one day 😛 Good luck with your fundraise!

YES it is so exciting! Especially for a complete pantser like me haha. (Although I do still a lot of stuff to work out.)
That really sucks — it’s so difficult finding books when there’s all the different international editions. YES ONE DAY! ADSOM is absolutely fabulous. *nods*
Yay, thank you so much! 😀

YES TO A GATHERING OF SHADOWS. I basically share your opinions on them 😀 😀 And oh, you have a Redbubble shop? I’m doing a post that’s semi-discussion, semi-feature book blogger design shops — would you willing to contribute? If that sounds good, email me at alyssa.carlier[at]gmail[dot]com 😀

Hehe, I love that you have so many copies of Carry On! I actually haven’t read any Rainbow Rowell yet but I do have Fangirl on my 2016 priority TBR pile. And, hopefully, I’ll be able to read Carry On soon after that one. And yesss, AGoS was a pretty epic installment. I agree, I loved the differences in languages, too. 😀

Ahaha, my Rainbow Rowell collected is the obsession that I allow myself. I do hope you enjoy her books if you read them!
YAY AGoS *flails* Details like that really get me excited about books. I think they’re wonderful.